Lucca-

I’m driving down the highway, one hand on the steering wheel, and my other arm resting against the rolled down window. The music blares over the wind and I’m rocking out to some shitty tune.

Kale has been quiet for the entire ride, probably lost in his head about my mate but like, I’m still on my high right now from meeting Makksi so I’m not even bothered about that right now.

Am I being a shitty best friend for that?

Then suddenly and without warning, Kale leans forward and turns down the radio, then unplugs my phone from the aux jack to toss it into the cup holder. Great. I won’t be able to plug that back in unless he does or we stop.

He turns towards me and silently stares for a moment before leaning back against his seat. He looks back over to me a few seconds later then asks, “So what does he look like?”

Shit.

“You’re suddenly interested in someone I’m with?” I say jokingly since, you know, he’s never been interested in one of my hook ups but…I know this is different. He knows this is different.

I really don’t want to have to get into this right now though. I just wanted a nice relaxing ride with shitty music blaring to hide my tone deaf screams, a good run through the forest, maybe a howl of excitement during the run…

He stares at me unimpressed and I feel myself shrinking under his gaze. But how could I not talk about my mate? I feel the sudden urge to gush about him, so it just comes out of me. “Okay okay, damn man calm your tits. He’s- he’s cute as fuck. Blonde hair,” I say as I feel that dumb smile begin to creep up, “pretty blue eyes, pissed as fu-” shit.

I hear a sharp intake of breath next to me and that’s when I knew that I fucked up. “You’ve gotta be shitting me.” Kale growls. I glance over and he’s staring dead ahead, glaring daggers blankly in front of him.

He suddenly turns to me and I flick my eyes forward to the road as I feel sweat begin to drip down from my temple. “You’re fucking with me. You have to be.”

His imposing alpha aura envelopes me and I find myself unable to lie to him. Not like I could lie to him anyways since he’s my best friend.

I swallow, fearing for my life not only from his wrath but because, whatever he might do, I have to keep up safe in this damn SUV while I drive. I suck at multitasking.

“N- no. It’s…Makksi.” I mumble cautiously.

I hunch slightly as I feel his aura grow in intensity around me. He has to be crazy angry for his aura to be so strong and oppressive.

“Dude, you know I can’t help this shit.” I say as I try to defend myself before he blows up.

“We’re both mated to that damn cat?!” He hisses angrily over his breath then turns back to me, his eyes like molten gold as they bore into me. “So what’s next, we’re supposed to be mates too?!” he says while looking completely disgusted which I find kind of offensive. “You’re my best friend, my beta, how would that even work out?!”

I turn my attention back to the road as a tiny car is bold enough to cut us off, scaring the shit out of me. “I’ve never had- you know we’re not, Kale!”

“Yes but how the fuck are we both supposed to be with Maxy?” he says.

I chance a glance back over at Kale as I can’t help but defend my mate, “It’s Makksi, dude…”

“I don’t give a shit if it’s John.” he spits out while gripping the air in front of him. That seems to be his thing lately, and I can’t help but growl defensively on Makksi’s behalf.

“Are you going to shit on me for something that I can’t help, dude? So fucking what. He’s your mate. He’s my mate. We can make this work out some-fucking-how.” I growl as I grip the steering wheel tightly.

“There’s nothing to work out, Lucca. I told you-”

“Yes, you told me you rejected him."

“Don’t fucking interrupt me.” he says and I can’t help but shrink in my seat when he lets out a sharp irritated sigh.

While still looking forward at the road, praying that Kale doesn’t distract me enough to where we get side-swiped or some shit, I mumble, “Sorry, man…” and then I speak a little more loudly, “Sorry. You know I wouldn’t do this to you if it were up to me.”

“I- I know Lucca.” Kale says and with a deep breath he continues, “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

God damnit I just wanted a nice run with Kale as I think about Makksi, no worries, no tension with Kale just yet, just one good day before this shit finally came down. But I guess today was the day.